Fla. may change how sports teams get help

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The state of Florida may change how it hands out taxpayer money to sport teams.

A Senate panel on Tuesday passed a bill that would allow Sun Life Stadium to use state and local dollars to help pay for renovations.

But the Senate Rules Committee tacked into the measure (SB 306) a provision that would require the state in the future to evaluate and rank all requests it receives from sports franchises and sports like NASCAR.

Sen. Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican, sponsored the change. The provision would also require the state to re-evaluate the projects every five years.

Both the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars are seeking state help this year. The Dolphins last week, however, pledged to repay the state some of the money back after 30 years.